Operating lever with display element

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an operating element for the engaging and extraction of planar sub-assemblies, with a display element ( 7 ) in the operating lever ( 4 ), a front element for a planar sub-assembly with operating element and component support for accommodating planar sub-assemblies.

[0001] The invention relates to an operating element for levering a flat module in and out, having the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1. The invention furthermore relates to a front system for a flat module, having at least one such operating element, an associated flat module, as well as a component support for receiving such flat modules which can be levered in and out and have a front system.

[0002] An operating element for levering a flat module in and out and having an end element, which has been prepared for being connected with a flat module and has an operating lever, which is rotatably seated on the end element, is known as the prior art from Utility Model Application 299 22 725.1 (Siemens).

[0003] Customarily, such flat modules have electrical indicator elements which indicate the switched state of a control element of the front component, for example, and in that case are customarily separately integrated into the front plate of the front component. Separate structural space is required for this.

[0004] The object of the invention is based on offering an operating element for levering a flat module in and out, which has an electrical indicator element which is attached in a particularly space-saving manner. Furthermore, it is intended to offer an associated front system for such a flat module, as well as a component support for receiving such flat modules which can be levered in and out and have a front system.

[0005] In connection with the operating element, the object is attained by the features of the characterizing portion of claim 1 in connection with the features of the preamble. Advantageous embodiments of the operating element are described in dependent claims 2 to 15. In connection with the front system, the object is attained by means of the characteristics of claim 16, in connection with the flat module by means of the characteristics of claim 17, and in connection with the component support by means of the characteristics of claim 18.

[0006] The operating lever of the operating element in accordance with the invention has at least one electrical indicator element, in particular an LED component. By means of this it is possible, for example, to indicate the switched state of a control element integrated into the operating element. In contrast to the described prior art, no separate structural space is required with the operating element of the invention, for example in the front plate of the flat module. In accordance with the invention, the electrical indicator element is attached in a space-saving and compact manner to the operating lever of the operating element.

[0007] The indicator element can be connected in various ways with the operating element and can be attached, for example, in the manner of a module, or as a complementary element to the exterior of the operating element.

[0008] In accordance with a first embodiment, the indicator element is partially or completely integrated into the handle element of the operating lever. In this way the indicator element can be viewed in a particularly dependable way by the user.

[0009] In accordance with a further embodiment, the indicator element is partially or completely integrated into a locking element of the operating element. Thus, the indicator element is attached a short distance away from the electrical current supply contacts of the flat module.

[0010] A particularly structural space-saving attainment is achieved if the indicator element is received in recesses of the handle element or of the operating element and therefore requires only little additional structural space in respect to the present surface of the handle element, or of the operating element, or terminates flush with the respective surfaces.

[0011] In accordance with a further embodiment, the operating element can also have several indicator elements, which are attached to the handle element and/or to the operating lever. By means of this, various switched states of the control element can be indicated, and differentiated information can be visually transmitted.

[0012] If the operating element has an integrated control element which, in the course of levering the flat module in and out, can be switched to be active or passive by operating the operating lever, the electrical indicator element is particularly used for indicating the switched state of the control element.

[0013] If the control element is provided with current by the flat module via connecting contacts, the indicator element is electrically connected for electrical current supply with the circuit element in particular. This electrical connection can be provided by releasable clamping contacts, so that in the course of pulling the flat module out of the component support, and therefore when levering the operating lever out, and/or when placing the locking element of the operating lever into a second switched position (B), a disruption of the electrical connection between the indicator element and the circuit element occurs. It is moreover possible to provide a separate electrical current supply for the indicator element.

[0014] A front plate of the front system for a flat module in accordance with the invention is provided with at least one operating element in accordance with the invention, wherein an electrical indicator element is attached to the operating lever of the operating element.

[0015] A flat module is furthermore provided, which has a front system with an operating element in accordance with the invention.

[0016] Finally, the invention includes a component support, into and out of which flat modules with front systems having an operating element in accordance with the invention can be levered.

[0017] The invention will be explained in greater detail by means of exemplary embodiments in the drawing figures. Shown are in:

[0018]FIG. 1, a perspective lateral view of a basic embodiment of an operating element in accordance with the prior art,

[0019]FIG. 2, a lateral plan view of a front system for a flat module, having an operating element in accordance with the prior art in FIG. 1,

[0020]FIG. 3, a perspective plan view of a basic embodiment of an operating element in accordance with the invention,

[0021]FIG. 4, a lateral view of FIG. 3, and

[0022]FIG. 5, a view from above on FIG. 3.

[0023] An operating element in accordance with the prior art for levering a flat module 2 with an end element 1 for connection with a flat module 2 and a front plate in and out is represented in FIG. 1 (also see FIG. 2).

[0024] In this case the operating element rests on a lower transverse rail 10 of a component support and has as its main components an operating lever 4, and end element 1 and a front plate 3, not represented for reasons of clarity in FIG. 1. The end element 1 here has a central holding function since, for one, it is used as the support for an operating lever 4 which is rotatably seated in a bore 14 in particular. On the other hand, it can also be used for holding the lower end of the front plate 3, which is advantageously inserted into a groove 22 for this purpose.

[0025] The connection between the lower end element 1 and the front lower corner of the flat module 2 (see FIG. 2), is advantageously provided via a holding block 17 by means of a screw engaging a bore 11.

[0026] Finally, still further components can be attached on such an end element 1. Thus, the end element 1 represented in FIG. 1 contains a coding block 13, into which coding chambers 27 for the insertion of coding pins, not represented, have been cut. They can engage coding chambers attached oppositely to the lower transverse rail 10, which are equipped with complementary coded coding pins. By means of this it can be assured that only one definitely selected flat module 2 can be positioned in a plug-in location of a component support. Finally, a guide pin 15 is also provided which, following its engagement with an oppositely located guide bore, not represented, assures a tilt-free correct insertion of the flat module 2.

[0027] The operating lever 4, which can be actuated by operating the handle element 5 when the locking element 6 is brought into the switched position (B), is used for levering the flat module into or out of the appropriate plug-in location.

[0028] For levering out, the operating lever 4 must be pushed down, so that a levering-out projection 9 protruding from the underside can be supported on a front edge 12 of the lower transverse rail 10. For reversing this, it is necessary in the course of levering-in to push the operating lever 4 upward, so that at least one levering-in edge 8, also projecting from the underside, can be supported inside at least one engagement depression 11 also located in the area of the front edge 12 of the lower transverse rail 10.

[0029] Customarily, means are also provided on the end element 1, through which the operating lever 4 can be fixed in place in the appropriate position after reaching the state in which it is completely inserted into the flat module. This inserted state is represented in FIG. 1. To this end, the operating lever 4 advantageously has a resilient, upward extending detent protrusion 24 on its top, which is directed toward the end element 1 and extends behind a detent edge 23 on the end element 1 which is directed toward the actuation lever 4 and extends downward.

[0030] In the same manner, a corresponding arrangement is attached to the corner area of the flat module 2 represented in FIG. 2, which consists of an upper end element 3 with an operating lever 4 rotatably seated thereon. The latter then engages a corresponding upper transverse rail of a component support (not represented) for levering-in and -out.

[0031] A control element 25 is integrated in the lower or upper end element of the operating element in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which is actuated by means of the operating lever 4 when it is in its fixed position (switched position A). In this way it is possible to electrically clear the flat module 2 attached to the operating lever 4, for example by activating its electrical current supply. In the other way the flat module 2 can also be switched electrically passive in that at the moment the flat module 2 is levered out, the action of the operating lever 4 on the control element 25 integrated into the end element 1 ends, and the electrical current supply for the flat module 2 is passivated again by the release of the control element 25.

[0032] The control element 25 is seated in a receiving slot 28 extending as far as the area of the detent edge 23 of the end element 1. Thus a switching element of the control element 25, for example a switching lever 29, projects into the area below the downward sloping detent edge 23 and, when the fixed state of the operating lever 4 (switched position A) is reached, is actuated by the switching slide 26 of the locking element 6 of the operating lever 4 when the operating lever is in position A. The locking element 6 is connected with the switching slide 26 via a connecting element 30.

[0033] If the operating lever 4 is displaced into the position B (see FIG. 2), the switching element 29 is relieved and the control element 25 is switched into a second switched state, whereupon a passivation of the flat module 2 takes place in particular.

[0034] The levering-out of the operating lever 4 can thereafter take place in that its handle element 5 is moved downward—in the direction of the transverse rail 10—, so that the detent projection 24 of the operating lever 4 is resiliently released from the detent edge 23 of the end element 1. The control element 25 can be activated or passivated by displacing the locking element 6 between the positions A and B in FIG. 2, and this is independent of the complete release of the operating element by the described downward levering-out of the operating lever 4 for removing the flat module 2 from the component support.

[0035] Further details regarding the structure of the operating element in accordance with the prior art in FIGS. 1 and 2, and in particular regarding the functioning of the locking element 6, ensue from Utility Model application 299 22 725.1 (Siemens), the content of whose disclosure is explicitly incorporated into these application papers.

[0036] The integrated control element 25 can be advantageously electrically connected with the flat module 2 by means of a cable or cable-plug connector, which can be attached to its connecting contacts 16.

[0037] Thus it is possible to operate the control element 25 always dependably and wear-free by means of the operating element if the switching means of the control element 25 have only a very short switching path.

[0038] Since the active-passive switching function is completely integrated into the operating element, users of the front system are not subjected to any restrictions regarding the control of components on a flat module equipped with such a front system. In particular, no dimensionally exact position determinations in respect to electrical connections for the control element 25 are required there.

[0039] To the extent the structure of the operating system in accordance with the invention in FIGS. 3 to 5 corresponds to the structure in accordance with the prior art in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, identical reference numerals have been employed, which have the functions represented in the description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 without needing supplementary explanations.

[0040]FIG. 3 shows an electrical indicator element 7, which is integrated into a recess 19 of the locking element 6 of the operating lever 4. Because of this it is no longer necessary for the indicator element to be applied to the front plate 3, instead it is located in a space-saving manner in the operating lever 4 of the operating element. Furthermore, an electrical indicator element 7′ is represented, which is integrated into a recess 18 of the handle element 5 of the operating lever 4.

[0041] The indicator element 7 is used in particular for the indication of switched states of the control element 25, which is integrated into the end element 1 of the operating element.

[0042] The indicator element 7 is electrically connected with the control element 25, on the one hand for electrical current supply, and on the other hand for the transmission of information, for example in regard of the switched state of the control element 25. Here, the electrical current supply for the indicator element 7 is advantageously provided via the connecting contacts 16 of the control element 25.

[0043] If now the locking element 6 is in the position B, and the operating element can be levered out downward in the direction of the transverse rail 10, the electrical current supply to the electrical indicator elements 7, 7′ is interrupted. The indicator elements 7,7′ have connecting contacts, known per se, for this purpose, which can be connected in turn via clamping contacts, known per se, with fixed contacts on the end element 1 for making a releasable electrical connection (not illustrated).

[0044] With the electrical indicator element 7 received in the locking element 6, the former can be displaced into the switched positions A and B by means of the locking element 6. For this it is necessary to provide electrical movement contacts, known per se, (for example contact rails) for the electrical current supply of the indicator elements 7,7′.

[0045] With an integrated indicator element 7′ integrated in a handle element 5, such an electrical current supply by means of movement contacts of the indicator element 7′ can be omitted. However, it is still necessary to provide an interruptable electrical current supply with the flat module 2, for example by means of the connecting contacts of the control element 25, in order to make possible an interruption of the electrical current supply of the indicator element 7 when the operating lever 4 is levered out.

[0046]FIG. 4 shows the indicator elements 7,7′ received in the locking element 6, or the handle element 5, whose surfaces 20,21 each protrude past the locking element 6 and the handle element 5. Because of this the electrical indicator elements 7,7′ can also be viewed better from the side and can be better seen by the user.

[0047] In accordance with FIG. 5, the indicator elements 7,7′ are substantially placed centered in the locking element 6, or the handle element 5 and can therefore be viewed equally from both sides by the user.

[0048] In accordance with the view from above on the operating element in FIG. 5, the indicator elements 7,7′ are substantially placed centered in the locking element 6 and in the handle element 5 of the operating lever 4, so that they can be viewed equally well from all sides of the operating element. 

1. An operating element for inserting and removing a flat module (2) by leverage, having a) an end element (1), which has been prepared for connection with a flat module (2), and b) an operating lever (4), which is rotatably seated on the end element (1) and has a handle element (5), characterized in that the operating lever (4) has at least one electrical indicator element (7).
 2. The operating element in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the electrical indicator element (7) is attached to the handle element (5) of the operating lever (4).
 3. The operating element in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the indicator element (7) is partially integrated into the handle element (5).
 4. The operating element in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the indicator element (7) is completely integrated into the handle element (5).
 5. The operating element in accordance with one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the indicator element (7) is received in a recess (18) of the handle element (5).
 6. The operating element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element has a locking element (6), which can be adjusted, in particular displaced, between at least two switched positions, which in a first switched position (A) maintains the operating lever (4) in a first position corresponding to a levered-in state of the flat module (2), and in a second switched position (B) releases the operating lever (4).
 7. The operating element in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the electrical indicator element (7) is attached to the locking element (6).
 8. The operating element in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the electrical indicator element (7) is partially integrated into the locking element (6).
 9. The operating element in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the electrical indicator element (7) is completely integrated into the locking element (6).
 10. The operating element in accordance with one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the indicator element (7) is received in a recess (19) of the handle element.
 11. The operating element in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element has a control element (25).
 12. The operating element in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the control element (25) is integrated into an end element (1) of the operating element.
 13. The operating element in accordance with one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the electrical indicator element (7) is electrically connected with the control element (25).
 14. The operating element in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the electrical connection between the electrical indicator element (7) and the control element (25) is releasable and is interrupted when the operating lever (4) is levered out.
 15. The operating element in accordance with claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the electrical connection between the electrical indicator element (7) and the control element (25) is releasable and is interrupted when the locking lever (6) of the operating lever (4) is displaced into its second switched position (B).
 16. A front system for a flat module (2), having a front plate (3) and at least one operating element in accordance with one of preceding claims 1 to 15, which is attached to one end of the front plate (3).
 17. A flat module (2) having a front system in accordance with claim
 16. 18. A component support designed in such a way that flat modules (2) with a front system in accordance with claim 16 can be inserted and removed by leverage. 